Certification

Certification is the process by which a non-governmental association or agency grants recognition to an individual who has met predetermined qualifications specified by that association or agency. The PTCE is recognized in all 50 states even though regulations to work as a pharmacy technician vary from state to state. Contact your State Board of Pharmacy for more information. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is an additional resource.

Wages

Pharmacy technician wages are often dependent on experience, qualifications, work environment, geographic location and employer. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook 2015 Edition, the median* hourly wage of pharmacy technicians in May 2015 was $14.62 per hour, and the annual median pay was $30,410. According to BLS, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $45,030.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for pharmacy technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

General medical and surgical hospitals; private

$35,280

Other general merchandise stores

29,750

Department stores

29,220

Grocery stores

28,730

Pharmacies and drug stores

28,360

Most pharmacy technicians work full time, according to BLS. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 9% from 2014 to 2024. The BLS also suggests that pharmacy technicians with formal education or training, previous work experience, and national certification will be specifically sought after to meet these demands.

Research

2016: Public Perceptions Related to Pharmacy Technicians and CertificationIn October 2016, PTCB released the results of a public perception survey conducted by KRC Research on behalf of PTCB. The findings reveal that 85% of the public believes it is very important for pharmacy technicians to be certified. Consumers feel so strongly about certification that 76% say that they would seek out a different pharmacy if they knew technicians working in their current pharmacy were not certified. The survey results show that among consumers, frequent pharmacy visitors are even more likely (79%) to seek a pharmacy where technicians are certified, and adults with children at home are most likely (82%) to look elsewhere. Read more.

2010: Pharmacist Views on Technician Certification as Essential To Reducing Medication ErrorsResults from a PTCB sponsored survey found that lead pharmacists perceive pharmacy technician certification as an essential component in reducing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and increasing positive health outcomes. The results, summarized by researcher Shane Desselle, R.Ph, PhD, FAPhA, Associate Dean for Tulsa Programs, Chair, and Professor of the Department of Pharmacy: Clinical and Administrative Sciences at University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, reflect data from 609 valid responses to a survey of more than 3,200 pharmacists serving in a variety of practice settings across the United States. The study is published in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology.